Chapter 46: Heavenly Realm
Yin Yuanli remained expressionless, as if uninterested in anything.
After crossing the moat, the words “Shangyang City” were very conspicuous on the majestic city wall.
There were city guards at the gate. Qin Wanwan glanced over and saw several mixed-bloods, just as Master Ma had said.
Mixed-bloods were actually quite easy to distinguish.
Here, mixed-bloods referred to those of Central Plains and Grassland descent. Central Plains people had softer facial features and their black hair and black eyes appeared non-threatening, but it was widely acknowledged that Central Plains people were smart.
Grassland people were large in stature and had a more aggressive appearance, with most having brown eyes. Some special tribes, like the Wolf Tribe, had more pronounced color variations. They were warlike and relied mostly on brute strength.
Mixed-bloods, on the other hand, combined characteristics of both Central Plains and Grassland people. Their stature was smaller than that of Grassland people, and their eyes and hair had subtle variations in color. Their faces were sharper than those of Central Plains people, yet softer than those of Grassland people.
In short, one could tell they were mixed-blood at a glance.
As fellow mixed-bloods, the mixed-blood among the city guards looked at Wolf Fang a couple of extra times, seeming a bit surprised.
Mixed-bloods from the Wolf Tribe were rarely seen.
After entering Shangyang City, the city was visibly lively and prosperous.
Compared to the sparse population of Shahe City, it was like the difference between a wealthy district and a slum.
Qin Wanwan felt the poverty of her Daddy very directly at this moment.
Everywhere they looked, there were various shops and all sorts of people.
Some people had blonde or reddish-brown hair, or curly hair…
“So many people!”
Getting off the camel, Qin Wanwan’s big eyes couldn’t take it all in.
Master Ma said, “I can only escort you this far. If you want to rent a camel on your way back, find me, Master Ma, at the camel post.”
Qin Wanwan waved her little hands, “Goodbye, Uncle Ma~”
“Goodbye, little one.”
With only their own people remaining, everyone was admiring the scenery of Shangyang City.
“Brother Yuanli, do you want to eat a flatbread? This one is so big!”
Qin Wanwan had already gone to find food, and of course, she didn’t forget to call her companions.
She couldn’t understand what the flatbread seller was saying, but that didn’t stop them from communicating with gestures.
Yin Yuanli watched as Qin Wanwan, like a lively child, gestured wildly and ended up buying a fragrant, large flatbread.
Yin Yuanli: …
If it were him, he might starve to death here.
“Hey, Central Plains person, this is your first time in Shangyang City, right? Do you need a guide? I grew up here and know Shangyang City very well, so I guarantee I won’t let you take detours. Plus, I speak Central Plains language and can help you translate.”
A guide was equivalent to a local tour guide.
“Okay, okay! What’s your name?”
Qin Wanwan came over with the cut flatbread, sharing a piece with Yin Yuanli, one with Wolf Fang, and then with the others.
“Uncle Dequan, please help Wanwan divide it.” Outside, she couldn’t call him Eunuch.
Wang Dequan smiled brilliantly, “Miss Wanwan, please leave this to your servant!”
“Crispy and fragrant, delicious~”
“Keke have some, Gosling have some, Xiao Hei can’t eat it.”
Keke and Gosling were very cooperative and ate the crumbs Qin Wanwan gave them.
With their small physiques, they could only eat crumbs.
“Just call me Amu.”
Amu was a boy about twelve years old, also a mixed-blood, though he looked rather thin. However, he was clever.
“Here’s for you, Amu.”
Qin Wanwan had bought enough flatbread, so she gave him a piece.
Amu smiled as he took the flatbread, looking quite simple and honest when he smiled.
“Where do you want to go? What do you want to play? I’ll take you anywhere.”
Yin Yuanli said, “Take us to a restaurant first, let’s eat something.”
They really needed a local guide. Seeing no scheming in Amu’s eyes, they didn’t object to Qin Wanwan agreeing.
“Alright, we have two of the biggest and most famous restaurants here. One is called ‘Heavenly Realm’, and the other is ‘Drunken Cloud Tower’.”
Amu held up two fingers.
“‘Heavenly Realm’ is a bit chaotic. While it’s called a restaurant, it actually has a gambling house and song and dance performances. Many wealthy merchants like to go there. When people drink too much, things can easily get out of hand, but don’t worry, there are people managing it, so it won’t get too out of control.
That place is mainly for entertainment, but ‘Heavenly Realm’ is owned by our City Lord. The song and dance there are all proper, unlike those in brothels.”
“‘Drunken Cloud Tower’ offers a variety of cuisines. Whether you want Central Plains dishes or Grassland dishes, we have it all. It’s much more refined there. There are private rooms, so if you want to discuss matters without being disturbed, you can choose to eat and talk in a private room. There are also rooms for lodging; it just depends on your choice.”
Yin Yuanli asked, “Whose industries are ‘Drunken Cloud Tower’?”
Amu chuckled, “They are also owned by our City Lord.”
Everyone: …
As expected of the number one merchant.
“We’ll go to ‘Drunken Cloud Tower’.”
“Okay, follow me.”
Yin Yuanli directly requested a private room. After the group entered, the private room’s window offered a view of the restaurant opposite. Even the sounds coming from it were very lively, forming a stark contrast with the quiet ‘Drunken Cloud Tower’.
This Shang Wuyang is truly a business genius, with two major restaurants offering different styles to cater to different crowds.
However, it was obvious that more people were going to ‘Heavenly Realm’. Red silk banners fluttered outside that restaurant, and from time to time, beautiful women in exotic attire could be seen gracefully descending, holding red silk.
Sometimes they would smile and pour wine for people, or offer a red flower to guests passing by the restaurant.
Then they would lightly leap back upstairs, holding onto the red silk.
“The women at ‘Heavenly Realm’ actually know Qinggong!”
This left those who had just arrived in Shangyang City stunned.
Their figures were graceful, and their movements up and down truly made them look like celestial beings.
Amu said proudly, “Impressive, right? They are all dancers from ‘Heavenly Realm’.”
Not only were the men outside staring, but Qin Wanwan was also watching with great enthusiasm.
“So amazing!”
Qin Wanwan leaned on the window, applauding enthusiastically to give emotional support, her eyes shining brightly as she looked at the beautiful women.
Perhaps it was because she applauded too hard or her eyes shone too brightly, but a beautiful woman in a red dress on the opposite side noticed her.
The woman, wearing a pearl veil, smiled at Qin Wanwan, then threw a cluster of fiery red flowers she was holding. The flowers arced through the air and landed in Qin Wanwan’s arms.
Qin Wanwan’s small hands hastily caught them. The fiery red flowers were made into a flower ball, and little Wanwan held a large bouquet.
“Little sister, these flowers are for you.” The woman spoke in standard Central Plains language.
A gasp went through the crowd below, and Qin Wanwan gave a silly smile.
“Thank you, sister, you are so beautiful~”
The girl in the red dress covered her mouth and smiled, “When you grow up, you’ll be a remarkable little beauty too.”
“Hee hee~”
Qin Wanwan, praised as a little beauty, felt delighted, and her smile widened.
“Miss Linglong’s Phoenix Flower ball was actually given to a little girl.”
“Miss Linglong gave away her Phoenix Flowers today, what a pity, why give it to a little girl!”
Countless men below regretted it deeply.
